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The three are the only Mecklenburg candidates in a six-way race for the seat long held by Democratic Rep. Mel Watt, who left in January to head the Federal Housing Finance Agency.

Two Guilford County candidates have out-raised all their rivals.

State Rep. Alma Adams of Greensboro has raised more than $386,000 with the help of groups representing women, organized labor and teachers.

State Rep. Marcus Brandon of High Point has raised nearly $254,000 with a network of progressive supporters from around the country. The sixth candidate, Rajive Patel of Winston-Salem, hasn’t filed a report.

Given the number of candidates, most analysts believe it’s unlikely anyone will get the 40 percent needed to win on May 6. Many expect a July 15 runoff. And many expect one candidate in it will be Adams, the only woman and the one with support from groups able to mobilize voters.

“Whoever is going to come out of Mecklenburg is probably going to have a runoff,” said state Rep. Carla Cunningham, a Charlotte Democrat. “And I believe the other person is going to be Alma.”

Battle isn’t willing to concede the race will move to a runoff.

“We’re prepared to be in a runoff, but we’re fighting to win it outright,” he said.

Graham said he loaned his campaign money as a show of faith.

“I’m all in, and I’m in it to win,” he said. “I can’t ask people to invest in my candidacy if I’m unwilling to do it myself.”

More than half of the $194,000 Osborne has raised has come out his own pocket. He said that’s inevitable with three candidates from one county running. There were four before James Mitchell dropped out this month.